CHAPTER 71: This Kind Of Thing...

"I'm sorry," she uttered after snapping out of that state.

Her rage reached its maximum and she had lost sight of everything.

"It's okay, it's okay. Rest for now," Hunter soothed before nodding at Ridge.

Ridge walked over and made Saphira smell something before she completely passed out.

If Hunter were to say that she rest, she'd simply try and sleep.

But with her current state, she may not be able to do so. It is better to let her fall completely unconscious instead.

Together with him was not only Ridge but Nixon and Stormie as well.

They came rushing here when they heard that Esther came to speak with Willow.

Though they did not expect that they would see such a scene.

There was no other emotion in Saphira's eyes, other than rage there was none.

Hunter looked at Drake wanting to understand how it came to be this way.

Drake then said everything that has happened until the point where Saphira snapped.

That carefree person snapping meant only one thing, they touched a subject she never wanted to hear at all.

Now hearing the whole story, Hunter could only sigh.

Anyone of them would get really mad if they are to know that one of their own would be put in such danger.

'You really do only get mad when it comes to your friend, don't you?' Hunter thought looking at her sleeping face.

He was currently carrying her in his arms.

"I didn't expect for such a thing to happen within the Imperial City."

They all turned when they heard the voice of the Emperor.

They gave their greetings and saw that all the seven heads were currently present.

The Emperor and the others approached the group before looking at Esther.

She was fine, not a single burn mark. Only the injury that Saphira inflicted when she slapped her with the papers and her hand.

After seeing this they looked at Saphira in shock.

This kind of thing...

Reginald cleared his throat, "I want all of you who are present to listen."

The knights lined up instantly ready to listen to whatever he has to say.

"What the crown princess revealed today, of Esther Virescent trying to do the ceremony on Willow Virescent was the truth."

They were all silent, though they already heard it coming from Esther's mouth.

With the Emperor speaking of such means that it was really the plain truth.

The one they tried to protect was the one who actually dared to do the most taboo of all sins.

"The day before, Willow Virescent was brought by Esther Virescent to a Null place and was ambushed by some hired people."

He didn't say who they were but Saphira and Hunter had already reported that it was knights from Cerrulean Kingom.

He had already sent letter in order to have them explain their actions.

"It was not that they were ambushed by Demon beasts but that Esther Virescent tried the ceremony the day before. If not for the Order of the Seven Myths arriving on time, then she would have succeeded."

Saphira asked him to use the Order and not her name.

He knew why, it is better that it was their group that did the job than her alone.

"They had spared her but she still came today with the intention of ostracizing Willow Virescent before pushing through with her plan."

With those words the people will see the order in a different light.

That they weren't simply heroes for the darkness.

Since they were out of the Empire for 8 years, people don't know just what kind of personality they have.

Saphira wanted them to see it for themselves little by little, gaining the trust of the people the same way.

Reginald was ashamed of himself that it was an eighteen year old young lady who made him realize these little details.

"I have only one thing I want all of you to remember."

He extended his arm towards Hunter's group.

"They weren't simply heroes, they are also people of the Empire. You don't expect them to be benevolent enough to spare the life of someone who tried to kill them a second time."

The knights all felt ashamed at the thought of protecting the one who tried to kill one of the higher knights.

"And I want to remind you..."

Reginald's face turned dark, "That they are younger than you are."

That was all and they felt even more ashamed, younger than they are but judges things better than they are.

"All knights present here today, whether you protected the one who sinned or simply stood by and watched. You are all to be punished. I'll have your captains hand it to you."

"Yes, your majesty," they answered in unison.

"As for this case, it had been solved. Esther Virescent and her mother Ophelia Virescent are sentenced to death."

"Yes, your majesty," Truman bowed.

This is an embarassment to their family but Truman was grateful that nothing have happened to Willow.

"I need to speak with the Order of the Seven Myths, let us all return to the palace."

With that he left followed by the rest of the heads.

Hunter and the others followed as well.

Though Reginald said he wanted to speak with the seven of them, Saphira was still placed into one of the rooms to rest.

"What happened today was my negligence, I couldn't apologize enough," Truman started startling the six of them.

"Please grandfather, don't lower your head," Willow instantly said.

"I know you are aware that we know of their intention. I am so sorry, I really can't apologize enough for what you have been through," Truman said shaking his head while holding her hand.

"We only wanted one thing in our family, and that is harmony. None of us were at fault. Not you or father or me, it was only those two."

Truman smiled, "You surely have grown a lot."

Then Willow remembered something, "Father, Saphira said that Esther can never receive Azure Dragon no matter whether I was born or not. What does she mean by that?"